Sony CDP-990 (circa 1984–1985)
The Sony CDP-990 is a cult favorite among early CD players. It is widely regarded as one of the best-sounding of the first generation, and often cited as a "poor man's CDP-302ES." The reputation comes from its lineage. Sony based the CDP-990 on the acclaimed CDP-302ES, sharing the CX20152 D/A converter and using the CX20109 and CX20108 ICs in the audio circuit. It delivered much of the 302ES's character at a more approachable price.
Period specifications list a signal-to-noise ratio of more than 95 dB, dynamic range of more than 95 dB, channel separation of more than 90 dB, and harmonic distortion of 0.004%. Output was available both fixed (2 V) and variable (0-2 V). Power consumption was a modest 24 W. The unit weighs around 5.6-6.5 kg depending on the source and measures 430 × 95 × 320 mm. Wow and flutter was listed as below the measurable limit, which is no surprise for a format that doesn't physically spin at a variable rate.
An Audio (October 1990, p.168) buyer's guide entry from later in the decade confirms the CDP-990's place in Sony's lineup. It lists the player alongside the CDP-790 and CDP-690, with an 18-bit, 16-times-oversampling digital filter. The lower models used 8-times oversampling. The same guide listed it at $470, but that is a later listing price, not the original 1984-85 introduction price, which isn't recorded.
Surviving documentation is thin. No frequency response figure is recorded, and the exact production run dates are approximate. The output stage used twin AC-coupled outputs, but the circuit description survives only in fragments and the full topology isn't documented in the archive.
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